‘Good-morning; good-morning!’ the General said
When we met him last week on our way to the line.
Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of ’em dead,
And we’re cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
‘He’s a cheery old card,’ grunted Harry to Jack
As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.
But he did for them both by his plan of attack.
Notes
Arras: a town in Northern France, the scene of a a917 battle with a huge amount of casualties.
the line: the lines of battle
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Comments
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A cheerful General, liked by the troops for his perceived friendliness. they have no idea that they will die due to the imcompetance of this man and those that work for him.
The last line, sitting alone speaks volumes, it has a bite to it.
Sassoon has added no hint of heroism in this parpticular poem which was typical of Sassoon's later war poetry, when writing with a difference perception by 1917. -
an incredible example of a junior officer's resentment towards his superior's irresponsible and wasteful tactics
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